The link, "New Discussions," toward the top of the left-hand
navigation bar leads to the most recent messages.

The link, "Discussions" near the middle of the left-hand
navigation bar leads to all messages.

The links, "Highlighted" under "Discussions" leads
to a list of discussions selected for their particular interest.

The links for "Developers" and "Research" under
"Discussions" lead to dedicated discussions for software
developers and researchers.

Other discussions are organized around courses, math topics, resource
types and computing platforms. These discussions are most easily
accessed using the browse or search boxes at the
top of the page.

To Search, choose "Discussions" from the pop-up menu next to
the word "Search", enter your search terms, and push the "Go" button.

To Browse, choose "Discussions" from the pop-up menu next to
the word "Browse", choose your browse criteria, and push the
"Go" button.

Discussions are organized into topics and messages

A given topic will consist of one or more messages
about that topic or further subtopics.

Topics with multiple messages will display small arrows. Clicking
an arrow will expand or contract the message list for a topic.

When showing all messages in a topic, the level of indentation
of a message indicates how the topic thread is organized.

Within each thread or subthread, messages display in
chronological order.

Replying and Posting Messages

On most discussion pages you have the option to post a new topic
to whichever discussion you are viewing at the moment.

When you are reading a single message, you have the option to
reply to the existing message or to post a message on a
new topic.

When you wish to post a reply or comment choose the "Reply"
button. This will give you a new page with

a box for your name

a box for the subject of your message (try to pick a few words
that summarize your message)

a larger box in which you can write or paste your message.

When you choose the "Reply" button, you also can choose whether
or not to quote the message you are replying to.

Quoting a message can be helpful if you are addressing many
points within the message.

However, duplicating long messages in their entirety can
detract from your own message. Choose wisely.

If you wish to start a new subject, choose the
"Post a new topic..." link. This gives you a new page as above.

Be sure you put in a good Subject description of the new
topic you're starting!

Email Notification

Email notification is available for discussions on the Math Tools Site

Subscribe to be notified of new discussions by visiting the "My
Mathtools" page and selecting the "Profile" tab. On that page,
check the box labeled:
"I want to be notified via email of all new discussion posts"

If you subscribe to a discussion, postings will be sent to your
email address, allowing you to follow the conversation without
visiting the web site.

Do not reply to these notification emails; please go to the
discussion site to post your replies.

You must be a registered member of Math Tools to access the
"My Profile" area or to subcribe to discussions.

This material is based upon work supported by the
National Science Foundation under Grant DUE-0226284.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations
expressed in this material are those of the author(s)
and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
National Science Foundation.